Lorelei

The Letter

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Five years later…

Lorelei sighed, as once again, the book fell from its precarious perch atop Evelynn's dark head. The eldest child of the Rose's, stomped her foot, her face a beautiful shade of red- almost akin to the cherry tomatoes they'd pilfered off of Charles, the house cook.

“You must have patience,” Lorelei consoled, standing up from her seat by the window and moving towards her daughter. She stooped down long enough to retrieve the fallen text and replaced it onto her head. Holding it for a moment and waiting to catch Evelynn's eyes, Lorelei smiled. “Neck straight and head high sweetheart.”

“But- mama,” she started, the book already starting to wobble as Lorelei stepped back, releasing her grip.

“Hush,” she stepped forward again, gently pushing down on her daughter's shoulders. “If you have confidence, everything else will follow.” With those words, a sudden change seemed to overcome Evelynn. Her shoulders drew back, her spine straightened and her chin tipped up in subtle defiance. “There's my flower.”

They continued well into the afternoon, the only sign of their progress was the steady shadows that seemed to grow longer. Casting shadows as tall as trees across the dark wood of the study and its occupants. They had started this excursion when Evelynn had found Lorelei in her study, the book’s gold titles gleaming in the morning rays, catching her daughters eyes so obviously, Lorelei was pressed to suggest a new activity.

When Lorelei asked if Evelynn would like to try what all the upcoming, of age girls had to, she readily agreed. Which was how they found themselves, hours later and well into the afternoon, balancing books on Evelynn's head. It was on their fifth hour, well after lunch, when Caid stumbled his way into the study.

Caid Jr. was a perfect image of his father, dark eyes and tan skin. The only major difference was his hair, while his fathers was a deep ebony, Caid's was a bright copper. Just like his mother's.

“Mama!” Caid slid across the polished wood, his feet losing purchase and slipping out from underneath him. Lorelei was by his side before he had even thought to stand, Amaryllis tottered in behind him, her face red and puffy.

“Mrs. Rose! My apologies,” she curtsied, her hair shielding her face as she leant forward. “We were just coming to find you.”

“And I found you!” Caid shrieked in delight, his arms wrapping around Lorelei's shoulders and tugging her down to his level. A loud clap echoed behind them, making her jump and Caid's arms tighten around her. She turned back to the sight of Evelynn staring forlornly down at the fallen book, her gaze slowly dragging up to meet those of Lorelei's.

“Sorry mama,” she tittered, like the robins the twins liked to chase around by the pond. Lorelei sighed, ruffling Caid's head and sending Evelynn a gently scolding look. Reading and understanding her unsaid words, Evelynn quickly scooped the book up and returned it to its rightful place on the shelves.

“I suppose it is time for dinner,” Lorelei sent and indulgent smile to her two beaming twins, “and maybe a little dessert as well, Amaryllis,” she called to gain the older woman's attention. “If Charles isn't too busy.”

Amaryllis beamed a pleased smile, having already stood up from her bow. “Of course not Mrs. Rose! Of course not, I'll go right down and tell him.”

“Oh, and Amaryllis,” Lorelei called, a smile breaking out onto her face and immediately causing a suspicious glint to enter the maid's eyes. Lorelei's smile could only widen, not quite reaching her eyes, “take your time. I'm sure we can manage without you.”